The devotional lines unfolding the long concealed motive for rejecting all other Nations, must not be withheld, he writes—
"I invite to this subject the special attention of those familiar with the Arts of other countries;—for, unless I am wrong, we have a conclusion far more interesting and wonderful than that of connecting the builders of these cities with the Egyptians, or any other people. It is the Spectacle of A PEOPLE skilled in Architecture, Sculpture, and Drawing, and beyond doubt, other more perishable arts; and possessing the cultivation and refinement attendant upon these,—not derived from the Old World, but ORIGINATING AND GROWING up here, [America] without models or masters,—having a distinct, separate, independent existence:—LIKE THE PLANTS AND FRUITS OF THE SOIL—INDIGENOUS!"
Temples and Pyramids defend your rights! Pericles and Phidias protect the Arts!—for in the Western Continent, without "models or masters,"—Edifices, Architects, and Sculptors, as "plants and fruit"—or like—
"Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them to men's eyes!"
He brings forward different Nations to father the Architecture in Ancient America,—he calls for "spirits from the vasty deep;" but they will not come,—he calls to the Hindu, Chinese, and Japanese, to claim the Child,—they reject it. Europe does the same.—Greece is not claimed,—although the meander border is on the Sculptured drapery of the offspring. It must then belong to Asia!—No?—well then certainly to the great Nation of Africa—Egypt!—what! the negative again?—the writ to find the Parent is about to be returned endorsed non est inventus, and the Architectural Child to be declared fatherless,—for he passes by the only Nation of all others that should have been selected,—from their means of accomplishing the migration,—their knowledge of art,—skill in imitation,—their neighbourhood and communion with Egypt,—every circumstance proclaims—Tyrus:—but,—no,—this would not answer the purpose of the fascinating Traveller,—his "conclusion" had a peculiar end in view,—something National,—and with that love of country so conspicuous (God be praised!) in the Anglo-Saxon race, he discards Europe, Asia, and Africa as the Builders,—to him there is a nobler idea,—that the Temples, Palaces, and Altars,—Priests, Kings, and People,—Architects, Sculptors, and Painters belonged to America only,—that they were as the "plants" "indigenous to the Soil,"—or, that they sprung like Minerva, ready armed and equipped, as the law of art directs, from the mental citadel of Jove himself!
His "conclusion," which gives no distant antiquity to these Ruins (but which is absolutely apparent), is somewhat in analogy with that which may be supposed to have been offered to a travelling Astronomer, by a homestead-loving Cottager,—who declared that the Moon could not be ancient and inhabited, because the freshness would prevent both propositions. "Freshness! How so, my good woman?" asked the Newtonian disciple. "How so!" she replied. "How wise you gentlemen with long telescopes are!—how so?—why because there is a New moon every month, and, consequently, there would not be time enough for people to be born,—or if they were to grow up like 'plants,' they would be cut down every month!—and consequently they could not be ancient,—any how!" But to be serious.—Our just pride of native land! England,—as expressed in "The First Oration upon the Life, Character, and Genius of Shakspeare,"[5] and our impartial love (as a Citizen of the United States) for the Nation claiming Washington as its founder, is too well known and recorded in our humble Oration upon her History and Independence,[6]—and in public debate, discourses, and speeches, both in England and America;—together with the feelings of duty;—and gratitude founded upon hospitality and the Medallic presentations received in both Countries, to admit even of a question, as to our resolution to uphold their glory and amity, at home or abroad,—and that without fear or favour, from foe or friend! It was the very spirit of that love for the country, which has graced us by its Citizenship, that led us to detect the erroneous "conclusions" of Mr. Stephens in reference to these Ruins:—for the errors must be evident even to himself, should these fervent but honest pages, ever meet his perusal;—and appreciating as we do, the valuable and interesting volumes he has given to the Library of "Travels,"—good nature,—knowledge of the Arts,—united with a justifiable, and a necessary independence, called forth by the importance of the subject,—have been the only means employed by us in criticising his work.
In his last chapters, he seems to have forgotten what he had written in his descriptions of the Ruins: and that his "Conclusion" was a sudden thought,—and, as proved, not founded upon that which preceded. It could not be otherwise, for
"A change came o'er the spirit of his dream!"